Don’t get us wrong, there’s plenty of overpriced stuff that’s expensive for no good reason, yet there are also so many things worth paying a little extra for.
Where the day starts early
A good mattress is something that seems way too expensive. But think about it. You’re going to use the mattress not just once a week, not only on weekends, but every single night. Yes, really. It’s worth paying extra for one since it’ll support your hips and shoulders better.
Let’s not forget the effect on your back, either. Splurge a little on getting a mattress that’ll give your body the comfort and support it requires. Don’t forget to get one that suits the way you sleep, too, whether that’s on your side or your back.
Four patches on the road
They’re just black circles. That’s what some people believe about tires, so they think it’s okay to cheap out on them. But it’s not. Good tires will keep your vehicle going when it rains, and they’ll make braking a lot easier, too.
The better your tires, the better your vehicle can handle wet roads and the heat. Sudden stops? Not a problem. You really don’t want to risk cheap tires on the road, so go ahead and pay extra for good ones.
Cold has a way of finding gaps
A real winter coat doesn’t need to make you look like you’re climbing Everest or anything, that’d be too much. No, you just need one that’ll fight the wind and damp air well. It doesn’t matter that your city might not get that cold in winter, you can use it when you go traveling.
The more expensive winter coats usually have special insulation material inside. They’ll trap the heat and keep you feeling toasty warm, even on the coldest days. Cheap coats only look good. Sometimes, not even that.
Nobody brags about the roll
Toilet paper’s not a great topic of conversation, sure, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on it. The cheap kind hurts, honestly. It’s scratchy and dusty, as well as annoyingly thin, so you have to use a huge amount of it anyway.
You’re better off paying more for good-quality toilet paper. Not only will it make going to the restroom a lot nicer, but it tends to break down better in water, too. No more plumbing issues.
The trip across the kitchen
Most people don’t even think about how cheap their trash bags are until the worst possible second. That’s when they get the bag out, and it tears almost immediately. How annoying. You should pay for the name-brand bags because they’ll handle your problems way more easily.
They’ve got stretchier seams and stretchier plastic, for starters. The drawstrings on the top also mean you won’t have to waste time tying knots with the ends. There’s no such thing as too strong for a trash bag, really, although you probably don’t need to get any scented ones.
One coat, then another
Cheap paint is one of those things that can trick you. You see the color on the sample, and it looks fine, so what could the problem be? Just try putting it on the wall. You’re going to need a lot more of it, and it’s going to take you twice as long to put on multiple layers.
More expensive paint covers better, and it’ll fight scuffs in busy areas, too. You’ll probably have to pay for two cans of cheap paint to make sure you can cover everything, so why not pay more for a single can of the good stuff?
Dinner starts with the first cut
Let’s get one thing straight. You don’t exactly need a collection of restaurant-grade cooking knives, unless you’re working as a chef. Most of the time, one or two good knives should be enough. They’ll help you cut any food almost effortlessly, and they’re usually safer, too.
Why? Because a good-quality knife is less likely to slip than a cheap one that might go everywhere. Buy a couple of expensive ones that you use every day, and then get a cheaper set for the ones you’re not using often.
Heat needs somewhere to go
That’s not all for the kitchen. Cookware that seems ‘good enough’ probably isn’t doing much for you, since cheap pans are usually thinner and won’t cook evenly. The more expensive ones will spread the heat evenly and give you more control over your cooking.
You really want to eat half-raw, half-cooked eggs? Probably not. That’s why you should get a cast iron or stainless steel pan that you can use to cook everything. Forget about the matching sets. They’re not much use, apart from looking nice.
The airport test
Luggage seems fine when it’s in your room, and that’s why you might think it’s okay to buy more economical ones. It’s a different story when you’re on vacation. Now, your suitcase has to deal with being dragged along sidewalks and hitting stairs, which cheap ones don’t handle well.
Get yourself some more expensive luggage. It’ll have stronger zippers to keep your stuff secure and also smoother wheels to make the whole travel experience way more comfortable. Best of all, you won’t need to buy a replacement every two years.
A bottle with a deadline
Good olive oil is worth the investment when you’re using it all the time. You probably are. Think about it, you’ll use olive oil on salad and in pasta, on roasted vegetables and maybe beans, too. Fresh olive oil has that extra flavor that makes your dishes taste that much better.
The darker and fresher the date, the better. You don’t have to get the most expensive bottle on the shelf, but you should go for something that’s a little pricier to lock in that special flavor.
A little grate goes far
You’ll know real Parmesan when you eat it. It’s got a deeper and saltier flavor than the cheap stuff that most people are used to, which is actually a good thing. You’ll have to use less of it to make your food taste better.
You don’t even need to use it just for pasta, either, since real Parmesan cheese works well in soups and sauces, too. Pay more for authentic Parmesan, not the cheap knockoffs that taste like cardboard.
The machine can only do so much
It’s so easy to blame the dishwasher when your dishes aren’t getting clean, but actually, the detergent might be the problem. Cheap detergent is usually weaker. So, no matter how much hot water the dishwasher sprays onto your dishes, they won’t be properly cleaned.
Gritty glasses? Greasy forks? Those are good signs that your detergent’s not as strong as it should be, and you might want to pay for better. They’ve got more enzymes and stronger cleaning agents, after all, and that’s great for breaking down grease.
The drawer full of maybes
You think you’re saving a few dollars when you get cheap batteries and, sure, you are. But then you’ve got to buy some more six months later. Stick to getting more expensive ones for the important things, like smoke alarms and flashlights.
Lithium AA batteries handle different temperatures and constant use much better than your basic alkaline ones. You’re only wasting money when you keep buying the cheap ones.
One drop, one bad angle
Try telling yourself that you don’t need an expensive phone case. You’ll probably regret it when you drop your phone. A good-quality case is more expensive, yes, but it’ll look good while also keeping your phone safe.
The price of a good case is nowhere near the cost of repairing, or even replacing, your phone, either. If you’re someone who goes outdoors a lot, then getting a rugged phone case shouldn’t be a question.
Rain changes everything fast
Nothing seems wrong. Your cheap windshield wipers seem fine, and they probably are, until it rains a little harder one night. Then, it becomes a lot harder to see because the wipers can’t wipe away the rain without smearing the windshield.
More expensive blades will clean the windshield better, and they’ll do it a lot more quietly, too. Let’s not forget about the weather. Yes, higher-quality blades have fewer issues with the heat and ice than the cheaper variety. Do you really want to risk it?
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
